“Going into AMIkids, I had no direction, no goals, no vision for myself or my future. I lived a care-free lifestyle and reached a low point in my life. At AMIkids, I was able to identify and target goals for myself based on my interests and personal strengths. I obtained key certifications to set myself up for my dream career and I will always be grateful for AMIkids’ constant support and dedication to transforming my life.”

Joseph G.

As a teenager I was aimless. I had no direction, no goals, no vision for myself or my future. I lived in the moment feeling like I was invincible and that no one had control over me. The world saw me as a reckless, carefree teenager who would never amount to anything. The world was almost right.

I was content with my lifestyle. It was fun: no responsibilities, no accountability, the prospect of a productive future never crossed my mind. I had no plans on changing. I started stealing golf carts, and held a mini ‘monster jam rally’ in my back yard where my friends and I not only raced them but wrecked them as well. That was the moment when that care-free lifestyle ended, the moment when I received a grand theft auto charge. Thankfully nobody was seriously injured during this time, but reality finally set in. I realized what I was doing was wrong. It signaled a low point in my life, but what I didn’t realize was that it would result in a beautiful opportunity at AMIkids.

It is hard for me to adequately give thanks to all of the members of the AMIkids community that have impacted my life so positively. Through AMIkids I was able to identify and target goals for myself based on my interests and personal strengths. AMIkids introduced me to scuba diving which is where I found my true passion and calling. They helped me to graduate from high school and obtain certifications like CPR/AED, First Aid for Lifeguards, Open Water Diver, Advanced Diver, the Rescue Diver and Dive Master. With all of these things, I have direction in my life.

Given the tools needed to succeed, I am making a career out of Dive Master Training, and I am loving life. I will always be grateful for AMIkids’ constant support and dedication to myself and others like me. What AMIkids does is a blessing, and I am proud to say that I am a product of that.